Former Sevier County Clerk Joe Keener was indicted on Wednesday by a Sevier County Grand Jury on one count of Theft Over $60,000 and one count of Official Misconduct.
Keener allegedly stole $94,645.50 from the Sevier County Clerk’s Office between July 1 and Aug. 16 of last year.
After a state audit which started in August and was released in early November, auditors said that Keener admitted to taking more than $94,000 for personal use from the office during the month-and-a-half time period.
Auditors added that clerk’s office staff should have noticed the discrepancies.
Keener was arrested and processed at the Sevier County Jail before being released after posting $15,000 bond.
“The T.B.I. and the Attorney General are fulfilling their responsibilities and I appreciate the professional manner in which they conducted the investigations,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “This is a difficult situation and it has been a very trying time for everyone.
“I want to assure everyone that County Clerk Karen Cotter has the office providing all the necessary and appropriate services for the citizens.”
The investigation was initiated by the Comptroller of the Treasury-Division of County Audit, and was concluded by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Keener resigned his position in late August and Cotter, who served as Keener’s deputy in the office, was named Interim County Clerk in October.

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